RICHMOND, Ky. (Jan. 29, 2009) - In its first contest of the season the ETSU women's tennis team dropped a hard tough match at Eastern Kentucky 5-2, Thursday at the Greg Adams Tennis Center in Richmond, Ky.

"Today we looked like it was our first match of the season," said head coach Steve Brooks. "After we lost the doubles point our team was still in good position to win the match, but we got a little unlucky at the finish."

The Bucs opened play by dropping the doubles point as the Colonels swept all three pairs contests for the early 1-0 lead. ETSU was actually leading two doubles matches 6-5, before EKU railed for the comeback wins.

Despite losing the doubles point, junior Yevgenyia Stupak (Kyiv, Ukraine) railed the Bucs, tying the match at 1-1. The Preseason Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year defeated Svetlana Pimenova in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2 in No. 1 singles action. Freshman Paula Jamie (Madrid, Spain), who was playing the No. 3 singles position, gave the Bucs another boast after the ETSU newcomer defeated the Colonels Nadja Barz in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3 giving the Bucs their first lead of the match at 2-1.

"Yevgenyia and Paula played well today," said Brooks. "They both did a great job getting our team back in the match. It was a good start to the season for each girl."

"We have to put this match behind us because we face a tough Kentucky squad tomorrow," said Brooks. "Kentucky plays a different style of tennis then we saw today, however I expect every girl to rebound and play a lot better in Lexington (Ky.)."

The Bucs will have a quick turnaround as they travel up the road to face Kentucky at the Hillary J. Boone Tennis Complex in Lexington, Ky. The Wildcats should provided a tough task for the Bucs as UK currently boast a 16-0 all-time record in dual match home openers.